Radiation Oncology

The Opler Cancer Center at Hinsdale Hospital shares physicians and resources with the University of Chicago. As a result, our patients have close-to-home access to top-of the-line technologies and research programs without the need to travel to a university medical facility. We offer many of the same clinical trials patients find in a university hospital setting, and we work closely with researchers who are making important discoveries on the vanguard of cancer treatment.

The Hinsdale Hospital Radiation Oncology team works closely with the medical oncology and surgery departments, as well as other clinical specialties. These relationships ensure that our patients receive the most comprehensive care, and are offered a wide array of treatment options. Integrated, multidisciplinary programs are established for a variety of cancers, including those of the brain, head and neck, breast, gastrointestinal tract, lung, prostate and other genitourinary system cancers, gynecological tumors, and lymphomas. There is close cooperation between specialties for a consistent plan of treatment.

Our highly trained staff of oncology nurses, certified medical dosimetrists, certified radiation therapists and board certified medical physicists always puts the patient’s needs first. We offer personalized, one-on-one care from qualified staff. Combined, the therapists of the Adventist Cancer Network have over 135 years of experience.

Adventist Cancer Network’s Radiation Oncology department has many advanced technologies to aid in diagnosis and treatment plans, some of which are highlighted below.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is a treatment in which the intensity of the radiation can be changed during treatment to spare normal tissue around the areas of the tumor. In order to properly target the tumor, three-dimensional plan is made. This plan is not a uniform shape as in traditional radiation therapy, but instead is the size and shape of the tumor. The radiation is then given in high doses to the targeted area of the tumor, and only in minimal doses to the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor. IMRT uses beams that vary in intensity across the targeted field, which can be turned on, off, or blocked during treatment. Ultimately, IMRT leads to less damage to healthy tissue around the treatment area, very precise targeting and treatment to the tumor, and a better quality of life for the patient.

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is internal radiation therapy where radiation is received internally rather than externally like IMRT or stereotactic radiosurgery. It is most often used for prostate treatment, but can also be used for treatment of the head, neck, breasts, uterus, thyroid, ovary and cervix. With brachytherapy, a small container of radioactive substance is implanted inside the body. The implants are placed either next to or directly inside the tumor and may be permanent or temporary. Though these implants consist of radioactive substances, the patient is not made radioactive through brachytherapy. A permanent implant becomes inactive once the radiation is gone, will cause no harm, and does not need to be removed. Brachytherapy is beneficial to patients because it can administer a higher dose of radiation to a smaller treatment area, and it takes a shorter period of time than is possible with external radiation therapy.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

This procedure is used in order to give a high dose of radiation to a brain lesion. It is a non-invasive alternative to brain surgery. Stereotactic Radiosurgery uses a head frame/helmet that helps the neurosurgeon and radiation oncologist to both steady your head and to mark the exact treatment area so that the lesion receives the most radiation and the surrounding area receives very little. The helmet is put on by a neurosurgeon and will stay on the patient’s head throughout the CT scan, the MRI (if needed) and through the process of giving you the radiation treatment. Patients won’t feel anything from the radiation treatment, but may feel some discomfort from the helmet. The treatment takes effect immediately afterwards. Because stereotactic radiosurgery uses no incisions, recovery is much easier for the patient. In fact, many people return to their normal activities the next day. Results show that the lesion will shrink over time and in some cases, completely disappear up to 60 minutes to complete and the helmet is removed.

Prostate Ultrasound

Working with Varian’s SonArray, the prostate ultrasound is a technology featured at the Adventist Cancer Network. In order to give patients the best treatment for prostate cancer, the ultrasound allows the therapist to make sure that the radiation is given at the exact location of the tumor for each treatment. After positioning the patient on the table, external lasers are first used to make sure the patient is centered. However, since lasers are external, they are notable to pinpoint the exact location of the prostate. The ultrasound allows the therapist to look internally and confirm the precise location of the target so that treatment is accurate. Doing this confirms that the radiation will be received by the tumor and that little healthy tissue is affected.

Radionuclide Therapy / Radioisotopes

Radionuclide therapy is a type of radiation therapy using radioactive materials to treat disease. The radioactive material is concentrated in the area of the body needing treatment and is given by mouth, injection or infusion. Materials used include I-131, Zevalin and Strontium.

External Beam Radiation Conformal Therapy

3-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy is a technique in which the profile of each radiation beam is shaped to fit the profile of the target. When the treatment volume conforms to the shape of the tumor, the relative toxicity of radiation to the surrounding normal tissues is reduced, allowing a higher dose of radiation to be delivered to the tumor than conventional techniques would allow.

Superficial Treatment

Orthovoltage is a low-voltage radiation treatment for skin cancer. In Superficial Microwave Hyperthermia, a probe is laid on the skin and heats the tissue to kill unhealthy cells.

Portal Imaging

Technicians at the Opler Cancer Center use portal imaging, a digital x-ray technique for positioning before treatment is delivered.

For more information, please call the Cancer Resource Line at 630-856-7526.